Marry Me Chicken

Name: Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts; ¼ tsp salt; ⅛ tsp freshly cracked black pepper; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided; 2 Tbsp butter, divided; ½ onion, julienned (sliced thinly); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 ½ tsp Italian herb blend; ½ Tbsp fresh parsley, minced; 1 cup chicken broth*; 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature; ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, diced; ¼ cup Parmesan cheese; 1 Tbsp fresh basil, torn; ½ 16 oz. box rigatoni, cooked**

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, garlicky pan-seared chicken breast dish finished with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Marry me chicken

Total

40 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Budget Bytes

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts
¼ tsp salt

⅛ tsp freshly cracked black pepper

¼ cup all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided

2 Tbsp butter, divided

½ onion, julienned (sliced thinly)

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ tsp Italian herb blend

½ Tbsp fresh parsley, minced

1 cup chicken broth*

1 cup heavy cream, room temperature

¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, diced

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp fresh basil, torn

½ 16 oz. box rigatoni, cooked**

16 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Place the chicken into a heavy-duty freezer bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Tenderize the chicken, pounding it thin until it’s about 1/2 inch thick.
2
Rub all sides of the chicken with salt and pepper and then sprinkle with the flour until completely covered.
3
Heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a skillet on medium heat and brown chicken on both sides for 6-8 minutes. Once the internal temperature reaches 165℉, remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest.
4
Add the remaining 1 Tbsp oil to the pan, plus 1 Tbsp butter, sliced onions, and minced garlic. Sauté until onions are softening and turning golden brown.
5
Add all herbs (except fresh basil) and deglaze the pan with chicken broth, whisking up all of the bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn heat to medium-low and let it come to a gentle simmer.
6
Add heavy cream and sun-dried tomatoes, whisking to combine. Let it simmer on medium-low heat, whisking occasionally until the sauce reduces to a gravy-like consistency.
7
Then, add grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Whisk to combine. You’ll notice the sauce will really begin to thicken with the addition of the cheese. Once the cheese is melted, just a minute later, turn off the heat.
8
Return cooked chicken breasts to the hot pan, spooning the sauce over the breasts. Serve over the cooked pasta!

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness (about ½ inch) before flouring to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
Don't skip browning the chicken skin-side down first; 4–5 minutes per side creates a golden crust that locks in moisture.
Add garlic and herbs after removing the chicken to prevent burning; garlic burns quickly and turns bitter.
If the sauce breaks or looks grainy, add 1–2 tablespoons of cream or pasta water and whisk off-heat to bring it back together.

Substitutions

All-purpose flour → cornstarch (use same amount; results in lighter coating)
Vegetable oil → olive oil or butter (olive oil suits the Italian herbs well)
Italian herb blend → 1 tsp dried basil + ½ tsp dried oregano
Fresh parsley → fresh basil or chives (basil enhances the sun-dried tomato flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Common Questions

Can I make Marry Me Chicken ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the chicken and sauce, cool completely, refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water to restore creaminess.

What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?

Use roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, or fresh diced tomatoes (reduce liquid slightly). Flavor will shift but remain delicious.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. Alternatively, cut into the thickest piece—no pink inside.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes. Double all ingredients and use a larger skillet or work in batches. Cooking time for chicken may increase slightly; monitor internal temperature.